Hello, dear readers!
Writing to you all freshly returned from Newport, Rhode Island where our girl Jenna just got married! Special occasions call for special circumstances (change during Virgo season? alas, we’re trying!), so we’re deviating away from our normal format of introducing you to a member to share some highlights from what was a stunningly gorgeous and deeply meaningful weekend. What follows is a recap of the festivities as well as some of our favorite Newport spots from the weekend, and of course, what we read this month!
ps. if you’re new here (welcome!) or missed last month’s recap, be sure to check it out below!
Included in this month’s edition:
Recap of our August WVBC pick: This is a Love Story
Jenna’s Wedding, aka The Met Gala for the WVBC
Local Business Love Newport, RI Edition: The Nitro Bar
What else we’re reading right now: a peek into our ‘Just Read’ lists
Also, this post is too long for email, so we suggest reading it on Substack!
WVBC August Pick: This is a Love Story
We chose This is a Love Story because we love novels set in New York City (duh!), and this one captures the city—especially Central Park—in such a vivid, cinematic way that the park felt like a character in its own right. The shifting perspectives added depth and intimacy to the story, giving us insight into the inner lives of each character. We were especially drawn to the strong character development and emotional complexity, which made the love story feel both tender and authentic.
With our busy summer schedules and Jenna’s wedding quickly approaching, we decided to keep our meeting more casual this month. We shared pizza from L'Industrie at Talea (both on Christopher Street in the West Village) while discussing travel plans, dresses, and final details for the royal wedding.
We’re not sure where she found the time while planning the wedding of the century, but Jenna surprised us with the first prototype for WVBC merch: butter yellow baseball caps! What do you think? We’re gauging interest for our first order, and we’d love to hear from you in the comments if you’re interested! xxWVBC
Jenna’s Wedding: The Met Gala for the WVBC
On August 31st, WVBC founding member Jenna tied the knot in the most magical Newport celebration. We’re seriously still swooning. The weekend kicked off at the iconic International Tennis Hall of Fame, where her dad and brother—clearly as talented as they are sentimental—closed out the welcome party with a surprise rendition of Willow by Taylor Swift. The way we SHRIEKED with joy!
The wedding was held at the breathtaking Castle Hill Inn, where, after spending the previous afternoon reading in the Adirondack chairs on their lawn overlooking all the passing sailboats, we watched in awe as our girl got glammed up. She glowed from the inside out, and when it came time to do the dress reveal, you best believe we needed those linen hankies she had for us.
After Jenna and her angel groom, Matthew, did their first look, we all got to see the tent for the first time. Jenna’s floral vision came to life in the most spectacular way…truly the dreamiest backdrop to dance the night away. But first, we had to get our girl wed! The ceremony was officiated by Jenna’s fabulous sister-in-law, Amy, who gave the most heartfelt address before the couple exchanged their personal vows—to say we were weeping is an understatement.
A major highlight? WVBC got several shoutouts in speeches throughout the weekend, including from the Maid of Honor and Best Man. Let’s just say that if Danny’s petition to join was genuine, we’re absolutely holding him to it!!!! (We really hope Jenna’s mother-in-law, Cammy, who has had a book club for 41 years and counting, is reading this and smiling big time).
As the night rolled on, we danced ourselves into a frenzy (read: went absolutely feral) when Taylor’s Love Story came on. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
Jenna, we love you. Your wedding was the most beautiful testament to the genuine love that you and Mattie share. We were so honored to be by your side on your special day and hope you have the BEST minimoon! No one deserves some sunshine and a beach read more.
Local Business Love Newport, RI Edition: The Nitro Bar
As certified coffee, matcha, and sweet treat lovers, we were excited to see if the Newport hot spot—The Nitro Bar—lived up to the hype… and boy, did it ever! Our Airbnb was situated between both locations (fate??) so we took it upon ourselves to try them both before the weekend was over.
They’re famous for their craft lattes with seasonal syrups and fun flavors (get the carmelized banana if you can!), but their pastries and breakfast wraps were equally delicious. We love to support a women-co-founded small business, and this one is very deserving of its 137K+ followers and counting.
Hot tip: order ahead to beat the line. And trust us, there WILL be a line.
What We’re Reading and Loving This Month
Last but not least, we’ll close each monthly letter to you with a recap of the books our members are reading that go beyond our WVBC picks. What are you currently reading? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Laura’s Corner
Connect with Laura on Goodreads and Instagram
The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro blends real-life art history with fictional drama, creating a suspenseful yet emotionally resonant story. The novel deepened my appreciation for the Gardner Museum itself and visiting the museum after reading the book was a surreal experience. Walking through the courtyard, seeing the empty frames, and absorbing the atmosphere made the story come alive in a whole new way.
It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan didn’t quite land for me. The stakes were so high and dramatic that the romance lost its grounding—nothing about the characters’ choices or situations felt realistic. Instead of getting swept up in the love story, I found myself questioning the believability of it all. If you’re looking for something light and grounded, this probably isn’t the one.
Eve’s Hollywood by Eve Babitz is pure, sparkling brilliance. She writes with such wit and sensuality that every page feels like a sun-drenched day in 1970s L.A. I couldn’t love Eve more—her unapologetic voice, her insider-outsider perspective, and her effortless cool made this book an instant favorite.
When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines by Graydon Carter offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the worlds of culture, politics, and high society. His essays are smart, funny, and tinged with just the right amount of wistfulness. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who loves great storytelling and a peek into the golden age of glossy magazine journalism.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is about Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian, who built one of the world’s greatest collections while hiding her true identity as a Black woman passing as white. This was such a powerful read—especially impactful ahead of a visit to the Morgan Library, where her legacy still lives.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and intelligently written debut that lingers long after the final page. These characters are flawed and feel so real. Perfect for book clubs or anyone navigating complicated relationships. This is more than a romance—it’s a reflection on identity, dependency, and the act of letting go.
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara was recommended to me during a corporate training event… which sounds so boring, but I loved this book. I found it to be so applicable to any and all relationships. It is part memoir, part leadership manual—and fully inspiring. Through vivid stories from Guidara’s time at Eleven Madison Park (like hot dogs served on fine china or sledding in Central Park), he makes the case that creating magic moments is possible in any industry.
Caylee’s Corner
Connect with Caylee on Goodreads and Instagram
Time Of Your Life by Jessa Hastings
Jessa Hastings’ writing feels like watching an episode of Gossip Girl. Much like her hit series Magnolia Parks, Time of Your Life is a wild, chaotic romance between two of London’s most rich and famous. I still prefer the MP universe, but I will quite literally read anything Jessa writes.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Women can be (and are!) heroes. This beautiful historical fiction follows Frankie, an Army nurse, and her experience of love and loss during her tour in Vietnam. I learned so much about the war and its devastating aftermath — but my biggest takeaway was a feeling of gratitude for the women who came before me. I live with freedom and choice because women like Frankie (and her best friends Barb and Ethel) were extraordinarily brave and fought for the rights and recognition they deserved.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpmen
After seeing this book all over my FYP I decided to pick it up and see what all the hype was about. It’s eerie, dystopian, introspective, and left a lot to be desired. I think that’s the point! If you enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale and Klara and the Sun you might like this.
Kayla’s Corner
Connect with Kayla on Goodreads, Instagram, and subscribe to her Substack!
Exit Lane by
A novella by 831 Stories set to come out in a couple of weeks, I really enjoyed my arc of this book. It’s inspired by When Harry Met Sally, following Teddy and Marin from their road trip to New York City through eight subsequent years, where the universe tries to bring them together. A great one to pick you up out of a reading slump!
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
I devoured this one while in Greece, finding myself feeling like the couple depicted—Cleo and Frank—were real people. Mellors’ writing is that descriptive…the type of prose that’s approachable while still feeling like you’re getting smarter from being immersed in her world! I immediately texted Laura that she needed to read it, knowing she’d appreciate this debut as much as I did. We’re already counting down until her next book!
Gwyneth by Amy Odell
I’m a huge fan of memoirs and almost always have one on my Libro.FM app…but this one was a bit different in that it was an unauthorized biography. If you read Amy’s biography of Anna Wintour, you know that she has a knack for thorough journalism and an uncanny ability to get interviews with those who’d otherwise never agree to speak to a writer. This was certainly the case with Gwyneth, a book that digs into the enigma that is the founder of Goop—not to mention, the daughter of Blythe Danner and an actress in her own right. Highly recommend!
Xan’s Corner
Connect with Xan on Goodreads and Instagram
The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen
I’ve been really into the Department Q series after watching the first season of the TV adaptation on Netflix, and The Absent One might be my favorite so far. It follows a complicated detective and his band of misfit investigators while they solve cold cases, and also a mysterious crime against the main character himself! It’s dark, twisty, and keeps the pace of a thriller while giving you that moody, atmospheric Scandinavian crime feel. If you liked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or Jo Nesbø’s books, this scratches the same itch.
The Art Forger by Barbara Shapiro
I’ve been obsessed with the Isabella Stewart Gardner heist for years, so when Laura recommended The Art Forger, I had to dive in immediately! The Boston backdrop, combined with the vivid descriptions of painting styles and the art world, completely captured my imagination. I loved picturing the main character’s “Window” series or the glamorous gallery Markel G, and I even learned a lot about the techniques behind forgery and copying. The book reignited my lingering hope that someday we’ll discover what really happened to those stolen masterpieces!
What Kind of Paradise: A Novel by Janelle Brown
I was instantly pulled into What Kind of Paradise because of its story setting being just outside of Bozeman, Montana! The book even included some of my favorite local businesses, like The Western Cafe and Country Bookshelf! The main character’s off-the-grid childhood with her father is both beautiful and unsettling, and it made me think about the line between freedom and isolation.
tysm for reading. chicest book club!!